How Fashion Influenced Hip Hop Culture

Hip hop fashion is a huge part of the hip hop culture, and are a few things that has evolved and changed over nearly thirty years. The 80s saw the birth of hip hop clothing, and therefore the genre was really brought about in the early 80’s. It first evolved within the Bronx, a part of New York City. too Early on hip hop covering was dominated by Jheri curls, ample jewellery, sneakers with phat (wide) laces, and sportswear.

Sports companies like Adidas and Nike were the foremost unremarkably worn garments within the hip hop scene, although bomber jackets additionally became a part of the hip hop culture. Through the 80s, the genre started becoming influenced by the west coast, and people like Will Smith started introducing things like FlatTop hair styles and high top sneakers. However the core of the hip hop fashion style was still the same. As rappers shaped hip hop as music genre through the 80”s, the clothing evolved with it. Hip hop became more and more popular, and the clothes were becoming less and less counter culture and before long even high class fashion designers were looking to the hip hop culture for inspiration for their lines of clothing. Hoever old school hip hop and clothing are still a nostalgic and important part of hip hop history.

In the early 90’s, hip hop fashion become influenced by traditional African dress, Bright colors, large pants, and head wear were all heavily influenced by this style of dress. Michael Jordan also became a big name in the hip hop scene, and Nike continued to drive the sports wear side of the culture.

For those looking to nail the look of Busta Rhymes or Ja Rule, peep our list below:

Timbs

In the early ‘90s, when Timberland was serving it’s core customer base of blue-collar workers- who adored the brand’s boots for their tough looks, superior quality and waterproofing- the company noticed a strange thing happening in New York City, The Big Apple’s hustlers, rapper and scoundrels, miles away from Timberland’s rural heartland and oblivious to the brand’s reputation, had become obsessed with their kicks. Some of the best-known rappers of the era were proponents of the boot, including 2Pac and Notorious B.I.G- “Timbs for my hooligans”

Coogi Sweaters

Coogi Sweaters were one of the most popular clothing rappers used to wear in the ’90s. Although COOGI is having a slight renaissance courtesy of artists like Drake, Big Sean, who has never been one to shy from the crazy sweaters, the brand was a staple of 1990 hip hop culture.

FUBU

This brand speaks the volume about the 1990’s hip hop era, and was worn relentlessly by artists and fans alike through the entire decade. Fubu doesn’t entirely have the same appeal it used to, for obvious reasons

FILA

Unfortunately, FILA is another brand that didn’t quite transition successfully into the 2000s. Millennials will remember this brand specifically for it’s sneakers, sweatbands and bucket hats.

Starter Jackets

Like everything else in early to mid ‘90s, Starter jackets came in bold and gaudy colors. The original satin button-up was the company’s flagship item, arguably the most memorable. A starter jacket can go a long way in completing your 1990s hip-hop inspired look.

Designer Visor

Meant to be worn upside- down, designer visors flourished in hip-hop circles in the 1990s. Gucci or Fendi iterations were arguably the most popular.

Long Tees

Jut add several inches onto the sleeves and body length, and you’ve got yourself a tall tee. No logos are necessary, the ridiculously oversized fit is enough of a statement.

Phat Farm

It was introduced by Russell Simmons, co-founder of Def Jam, Phat Farm and Baby phat successfully outfitted a generation of male and female hip- hop fans.

Bandana

The applications of a bandana are nearly unlimited. Rock it under a hat, hang from your belt loop, or use one to show your gang affiliations. This pattern can also extend effortlessly into apparel such as sweatpants and T-shirts.